Highland engineering company honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise
A Highland engineering company that has pioneered innovative new solutions for clean water has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise.
RSE, headquartered in Inverness, has received the Innovation Award, entitling it to use the Royal Emblem for five years in recognition of its outstanding achievement.
Often described as a “knighthood for businesses”, the award was granted in recognition of RSE’s development of a new water treatment system.
These modular units can be quickly delivered and connected on-site, making it faster and easier to build or upgrade water treatment facilities. This flexible “plug-and-play” design helps meet rising demand while reducing carbon emissions and cutting costs.
RSE designs and manufactures products, solutions and services for purifying drinking water, recycling wastewater, and treating industrial process water.
Founded in Muir of Ord in 1982, the firm has grown its revenue from £61 million in 2019 to £360 million in 2025.
It now employs more than 2000 people across engineering and manufacturing sites in Darlington, Dewsbury, Leeds, Nottingham, Basingstoke, Great Yarmouth, Southampton, Bristol, Evanton, Glenrothes, Edinburgh, Dalgety Bay, Cumbernauld, Inverness and Muir of Ord.
Originally focused on mechanical and electrical engineering for multiple sectors including hydropower, RSE specialised into water, renewables and infrastructure during the 2000s.
Today, it delivers projects for all the UK’s major water companies, including Scottish Water, and major firms such as Diageo, Siemens, SSE, Scotrail and EDF.
RSE chief executive Steve Slessor said: “The King’s Award for Enterprise is the most prestigious business award a UK company can receive. It’s a tremendous honour and a recognition of the technical expertise and innovation we’ve developed over more than 40 years.
“We are proud to be a company rooted in the Highlands, supported by several generations of local families. Creating skilled, sustainable employment in rural communities remains central to our purpose.
“We’ve been fortunate to win several awards for innovation and skills, but this recognition stands above all others and reflects the dedication and ingenuity of our people.”
Allan Dallas, founder and now RSE's water technologies director, added: “Engineering talent based in the Highlands is already leading a revolution in how water companies build and upgrade treatment plants across the UK.
“Our future depends on continued collaboration with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the University of the Highlands and Islands, and other partners to help us push the boundaries of water technology and grow into international markets.”
The company was supported by a £2.75 million investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise over three years and is regarded as the market leader in UK water treatment technologies. It has also benefited from collaboration with The University of the Highlands and Islands to strengthen its innovation pipeline.
Stuart Black, chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “RSE is a fantastic example of how a Highland business can lead in innovation, growth, and sustainability on a national and international scale.
“Their success shows the strength of our region’s engineering talent and the value of investing in people, infrastructure and long-term innovation. We are proud to have supported them on their journey.”
RSE is one of 46 companies to receive a King’s Award for Innovation this year. Other winners were recognised for their work in international trade, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
Now in their 59th year, the Awards celebrate outstanding achievement by UK businesses. Recipients will be invited to a reception hosted by His Majesty The King at Windsor Castle later this year.
